By Tamara Abraham
It is standard footwear for the likes of Victoria Beckham and TV personality Cheryl Cole - but is the rest of the world ready for a six-inch heel?
British retailer Debenhams certainly thinks so, as this week sees the launch of what it claims to be the highest heel on the High Street.
The Miss KG "Goldie" platforms, which come in sparkly black or gold, measure up at a staggering 15cm - a heel height so extreme that few footwear manufacturers, till now, would actually make them.
A-list favourite Christian Louboutin has long favoured the super-high stiletto, and his red-soled creations have been worn by stars across the globe, while Yves Saint Laurent's Tribute platforms are a modern classic, having become a firm favourite with Kate Moss and Dannii Minogue.
Continues Below ↓
And whether or not we can afford the taxi lifestyle necessary for such high heels, the trend has filtered down to the High Street.
Increasing numbers of brands are following Debenhams' lead in stocking skyscraper heels this season, fuelled by customer demand to mimic the celebrity look.
A Debenhams spokesperson said: "The trend is bigger and bigger. We expect them to be a bestseller."
But, as many women will agree, high heels can be painful to wear - so what effect will the six-inch heel have on the body?
Britain's National Health Service already spends ?29-million (R362-million) a year treating foot conditions caused by ill-fitting footwear, and two million work days a year are believed to be lost due to injuries sustained by problematic shoes.
Research published today showed how many women have little regard for comfort when it comes to shoes.
The survey by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists found that 37 percent of female shoppers were willing to put up with uncomfortable shoes if they were in fashion.
A spokesperson for the society said: "Many of us find it hard to resist a bargain and the latest fashion must-have, but it's important to remember that by buying ill-fitting shoes, you're not only going to end up in discomfort, but you are also putting your health at risk."
The six-inch stiletto is child's play, however, in comparison with designer Olivier Theyskens eight-inch heels, worn in a photo shoot by actress Jennifer Connelly. The bizarrely-shaped boots appear not to have been made for walking. - Daily Mail
-
This article was originally published on page 7 of Tribune on September 14, 2009
|
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Digg
Delicious
Newsvine
Facebook
muti
Twitter
